“Are you sure that’s not a mole?” Jie Jia stood three meters away, covering his nose with one hand, his face full of disgust.
Chen Mu: “…” I washed my feet!
This old geezer is definitely jealous of me.
He took out several iron needles and jabbed them into the black spot on the sole of his foot.
Clang clang clang…
“See that!” Chen Mu lifted his head proudly, “Impervious to swords and spears! Soul strength!”
Jie Jia glanced at the embroidery needle in Chen Mu’s hand.
“Impervious to swords and spears, huh?”
Chen Mu: “…”
…
South Market’s Fan Tower, the most top-notch tavern in Nanyang Prefecture City.
It covered three acres, with seven or eight five-story buildings of wood and stone erected, connected by bridges and galleries in the middle.
There were places for dining, lodging, listening to music, gambling, a complete package of entertainment.
Fan Tower, Four Directions Pavilion.
On the third floor, in a private room by the window, Chen Mu and Jie Jia sat in front of a square table drinking tea and chatting.
Through the window, one could clearly see the stream of people in the South Market. The continuous sounds of vendors hawking and customers bargaining formed a tapestry of noise.
“I’m feeling good today, I came to try the delicacies of Four Directions Pavilion, wonder if they are really as delicious as the rumors suggest,” Chen Mu said with a light laugh, leaning against the window.
Jie Jia looked at Chen Mu with confusion: “You don’t happen to have a Daoist Bone, do you?”
“I’m just an ordinary person, what Daoist Bone would I have?” Chen Mu rolled his eyes.
Though I do have one cheat up my sleeve.
“Are your parents perhaps members of some fallen aristocratic side branch?” Jie Jia continued to speculate.
An ordinary person? Using that trash Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique and managing to develop Soul Strength in just a year and a half, and you still dare say you’re just an ordinary person?
“Members of aristocratic families can develop Soul Strength quickly?” Chen Mu’s mind stirred.
“Ah, slightly worse than you.” Jie Jia replied listlessly, his eyelids drooping.
Chen Mu thoughtfully: “Is it because they’ve mastered some special methods?”
“Just some special bloodlines,” Jie Jia said calmly.
“Similar to a Daoist Bone? Naturally suited for cultivation?” Chen Mu suddenly understood.
“Something like that,” Jie Jia said indifferently, not wanting to discuss it further.
Chen Mu didn’t probe any further.
However, the pride from just having developed his Soul Strength quickly subsided.
I have my cheat, but alas, others have their ancestors.
They were born more outstanding than others because their ancestors were wealthy. I should just honestly work on increasing my proficiency.
“I’ll take that Shape Cultivation Technique of yours,” Chen Mu shrugged.
“Figured it out?” A hint of amusement flickered in Jie Jia’s eyes.
Chen Mu nodded: “There are two Shape Cultivation Techniques on the Ghost Market ship. But since they are listed alongside the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique, it’s no loss without them.”
Jie Jia nodded: “The Shape Cultivation Techniques that circulate outside are mostly rudimentary.”
Chen Mu’s mind raced: “So those detailed ones are being specially controlled by some people?” Your journey continues with m-vl-em|p-yr
Jie Jia nodded.
Chen Mu realized. This is probably the doing of Da Liang’s upper echelons. No wonder there are continuous human disasters in Da Liang. It’s probably the accumulation of public grievances reaching a certain level. Whether Nanyang Prefecture City will be affected is also unknown.
“My Soul Strength has just formed, how should I train next?” Chen Mu asked earnestly.
Although the Soul Strength from the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique is trivial, having it is better than not.
“Ten years of Shape Cultivation, a hundred years of Soul nurturing, you’ve heard this saying, right?” Jie Jia asked.
“Nurture?” Chen Mu’s mind stirred.
“Exactly. Eat well, sleep well, take good care of yourself. Keep accumulating vital energy to enhance your Soul Strength,” Jie Jia explained in one breath.
“Right now, your condition is called Wandering Soul. When the Soul Strength spreads and covers the entire body like armor, then you can say your Soul Strength has fully matured, referred to as Shell Soul,” Jie Jia finished.
Chen Mu’s mind stirred as the image of the Divine Intent Diagram in the shape of a flying bird appeared in his mind.
Two cool breaths rushed up from the soles of his feet. Two black spots simultaneously appeared on both of his palms.
Being able to move throughout the body, no wonder it’s called Wandering Soul. If used skillfully, defending vital areas can achieve remarkable effects.
But nurturing the Soul by eating and drinking well and slowly accumulating sounds rather unreliable. Isn’t this just eating to fatten up? Feeding pigs?!
“Isn’t there a faster way?” Chen Mu asked unwillingly.
Jie Jia stared at the two black spots in Chen Mu’s palm: “Can you put those away?”
What’s up? Chen Mu was puzzled.
“We’re about to eat,” Jie Jia said flatly: “It’s off-putting.”
Chen Mu’s face instantly darkened.
What’s wrong with my “Soul Strength” on my legs?!
This is “Wandering Soul” away from the feet, not some big man picking his feet!
…
Outside Nanyang Prefecture City, by the banks of the Jinshui River.
A giant ship was docked at the river’s edge, with a red flag with black patterns standing at the top.
The black patterns were simple but vivid, depicting some kind of aquatic behemoth.
The ship, about two hundred meters in length and eighty meters in width, was an undeniable colossus.
Above the ship, eaves soared on the buildings, which were internally divided into dozens of rooms and cabins, all meticulously decorated like a palace.
At this moment, the ship was bustling with people, all of whom were husky men in tight, simple attire.
This was none other than the headquarters of the largest gang in Nanyang Prefecture, the Startling Swan Gang.
“Hall Master, someone among us has their eyes on that scholar,” a man with small eyes whispered.
“Our people?” Zuo Sheng curiously looked over, “My fellow disciple has always been law-abiding; why would he attract our attention?”
Ever since he saw Chen Mu arrive in Nanyang with the Zuo family caravan, he had been more vigilant.
Though the disciple seemed harmless, he was also a ruthless type who wouldn’t hesitate to kill.
Originally, the man had specifically chosen to live beside the Zuo family, and now he had followed them to Nanyang. Fearing the man’s ill intentions, Zuo Sheng had secretly ordered someone to keep a close watch.
If it weren’t for his recent preoccupation with training, he might have paid a visit to seek guidance and understand the man’s true motives.
The small-eyed man chuckled, “It’s said that Zhang Helmsman of the White Tiger Hall is investigating the origins of Qingfeng Powder.”
“The highly effective golden sore medicine from Ghost Market? Weren’t there heavy losses and production halted? Still investigating?” Zuo Sheng reacted with surprise, “What, it’s related to my fellow disciple?”
“Most likely.” The small-eyed man grinned, “Zhang might not be skilled in martial arts, but he is smart.”
“A month ago, he scattered a large number of people to closely monitor the medicinal herb transportation routes at the docks.”
“Now it looks like he’s been tracking down the source by following the trail.”
If it weren’t for Zuo Sheng’s close proximity and noticing something amiss, thus investigating in reverse, Zhang would have actually managed to settle the matter quietly and successfully.
“Hall Master, the White Tiger Hall has always been troubling us. Why don’t we cut them off?” the small-eyed man suggested.
“That won’t do,” Zuo Sheng squinted, “After all, he’s a brother in the gang. Engaging in internal strife like this goes against gang rules and shall not be mentioned again!”
The small-eyed man had an awkward smile on his face.
“But after all, he is my beloved friend and fellow disciple,” Zuo Sheng sighed, “Arrange for a few people to keep an eye on Zhang Helmsman. The moment they act, have them immediately inform me.”
“We can’t let my disciple suffer any grievances.”
“Hehe! Yes!” The small-eyed man suddenly wore a crafty smile.
Zuo Sheng, seeing the man’s sincere and proper attitude, nodded in satisfaction.
The recent martial arts practice had been quite costly, and the arrival of Qingfeng Powder was timely. Top-grade golden sore medicine, coupled with the formidable influence of the Startling Swan Gang on the Jinshui River, was like a treasure trove.
However, adding flowers to brocade was far less valuable than sending charcoal in snowy weather.
Only by helping at a critical moment can one truly win people’s hearts!
…
At night, at the Chen family residence.
The door was firmly shut, with Chen Mu sitting in front of a desk.
A lit oil lamp on the desk illuminated the room brightly.
The lamp oil, extracted from the fat of some ferocious aquatic beast, burned without producing black smoke and was astonishingly bright.
Chen Mu meticulously flipped through the yellowed pages of the book in his hands.
“No wonder Jie Jia always says the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique is simplistic,” Chen Mu sighed as he closed the book.
Compared to the “Blue-eyed Golden Ape Shape Cultivation Technique” he held, it indeed was.
Take, for example, the breathing method.
The most complicated part of the Red Falcon breathing method involved only one hundred and twenty variations per cycle, whereas the Muscle Transformation Stage of the Blue-eyed Golden Ape technique featured one hundred and eighty variations.
It offered more delicate and precise stimulation and modification of the body, more comprehensive, and naturally, stronger.
“And there’s the complete Divine Intent Diagram.”
Chen Mu reopened the book and flipped to the last page—a piece of leather paper made from the hide of some animal.
On the light brown leather, hundreds of small and large black dots were scattered like stars, with threads as thin as hair intertwining, connecting all the dots.
While it may look confusing to others, Chen Mu understood. The black dots were the nodes of the Divine Intent Diagram. If one constantly pondered and observed, in conjunction with a fully developed Shape Cultivation Technique, they could master the Divine Intent Diagram.
“So, this ‘Black Tiger Shape Cultivation Technique’ is also just junk,” Chen Mu picked up another black-covered book beside him with a look of disdain.
To buy this Shape Cultivation Technique, he had even run up a tab with Jie Jia.
If it weren’t for the recent hot sales of Qingfeng Powder, Jie Jia wouldn’t have given him the time of day.
“Well, bought it I have, might as well try practicing,” Chen Mu sighed in disappointment.
“Once I’ve saved enough money, I’ll also buy that ‘White Ape Shape Cultivation Technique’. It would then pair up with the Red Falcon Shape Cultivation Technique to form the ‘Mediocre Trio’.”